Telecoms to earn $2.7 trillion by 2017

Emerging market subscribers and broadband services to power vast revenues.

A a new market analysis from Insight Research says the global telecom market will be worth $2.1 trillion in 2012, but will grow at a CAGR of 5.3 per cent to 2017.

The growth in subs from Asia Pac, India, Africa, Latam and elsewhere will raise wireless revenues by 64 per cent from current levels, while 3G and 4G broadband services will grow at a CAGR of 24 per cent. Wireline revs will stay pretty flat.

"Despite global economic uncertainty, the telecommunications industry is showing strong revenue growth, which is being driven by consumer Internet usage and business mobility solutions. These are enabling new applications," said Fran Caulfield, research director for Insight Research.

"Even amidst so much economic uncertainty, the fact remains that telecommunications is a key factor in economic growth. Telecommunications facilitates socio-economic advancement and is a critical utility for economic development, much like water and energy."